Winning praise from nutrition advocates, the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee on June 15 voted to approve a yearlong extension of enhanced WIC fruit and vegetable benefits.
Full committee markup for the fiscal year 2023 (October 2022 through September 2023) USDA spending bill is scheduled for later this month, according to a news release.
“We are appreciative of the appropriators for recognizing the importance of maintaining the fruit and vegetable benefit boost - which reflects an amount consistent with Dietary Guidelines serving recommendations,” said Mollie Van Lieu, vice president of nutrition and health for the International Fresh Produce Association. “Since its update in 2021 - it has proven to be a success with participants consuming more fruits and vegetables. We continue to look forward to USDA issuing their final rule on the updated WIC benefit package to make this amount permanent.”
WIC’s fruit and vegetable benefit was increased from $9-11 per month to $35 per month as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, before being extended in October 2021 through the fiscal year 2022 appropriations process. Appropriators adjusted the WIC fruit and vegetable benefit to $24 per month for children, $43 per month for pregnant and postpartum participants, and $47 for breastfeeding participants. The current levels of the WIC benefit bump reflect 50% of recommended intake under the Dietary Guidelines for America, according to the National WIC Association.
“Since April 2021, more than 4.8 million women and children participating in WIC have received enhanced vegetable and fruit benefits that align with science-based recommendations,” Brian Dittmeier, senior director of public policy at the National WIC Association, said in a news release. “This targeted support has been a proven success: ensuring that WIC participants have sustained access to nutritious foods vital for early childhood development and bolstering local economies. This common-sense investment - extended repeatedly in fiscal year 2022 through bipartisan action - builds on WIC’s public health success to grow a healthier next generation.
The WIC “bump” has already proven to improve dietary quality, with measured increases in fruit and vegetable consumption among young children and a greater variety of produce purchased by WIC families, Dittmeier said in the release. “Consistent access to more fruits and vegetables will shape shopping behaviors and child taste preferences in the long-term, helping to bring down long-term healthcare costs by mitigating the risk of chronic diet-related conditions and fostering nutrition security for low-income families. We thank appropriators - especially Chairs DeLauro and Bishop - for recognizing the effectiveness of early nutrition interventions, like this WIC bump, to strengthen domestic producers and support healthier outcomes.”
Dittmeier said the enhanced WIC fruit and vegetable benefit is “both a public health success and a necessary adjustment” that helps families have the purchasing power to provide their children with essential necessary nutrients.
“As low-income families continue to navigate current economic challenges, it is essential that Congress provide families with certainty and advance this legislation before the September 30 deadline, Dittmeier said in the release.
